

OrCAD is one of the more established professional level design suites currently available on the market. This article will present a mix of PCB design packages from both groups, with the first section discussing commercial level PCB packages and the second section discussing professional level PCB design packages. Generally speaking, PCB design software packages cater to two distinct groups: the hobbyist market and professional level developers. This is by no means a complete survey, readers should be aware that there are plenty of other options available.

To that end, this article will take a brief look at some of the most popular PCB Design Software Packages currently available on the market, and discuss each one's strengths and weaknesses. With all PCB layout software available, picking the one best suits your PCB layout needs and budget can be a difficult and time-consuming process.

As such, your PCB design's success is highly dependent on the capabilities of your chosen PCB Design Software and your ability of using it. PCBs are at the center of any electronics design and all but the most basic PCBs are designed using PCB layout software.
